Featured Educator
Name : Michelle Rugenstein Years Teaching : 8th year
Photo Credit : Michelle Rugenstein
Grades Taught : Currently I teach 1st grade ( 5 years ), 3rd grade ( 1 year ), and 2nd grade ( 2 years )
Degrees or Special Awards : BS in Elementary Educa : on from the University of Michigan and currently taking Masters classes from Grand Valley State University . My degree will be in Curriculum and Instruc : on with an Emphasis on Differen : a : on
• Who is your favorite person in the school besides your students and why ? I love my school family . If I had to choose a favorite besides my students I would say my two teammates . They are like sisters to me . We mesh well and are constantly bouncing ideas off of each other . We truly care about one another and are willing to go the extra mile to help each other out . Outside of school we are close , as well .
• Where do you normally eat lunch and why ? My school does not have a cafeteria and therefore the students eat in the classroom . My school relies on parent volunteers to assist at lunch : me to give teachers a lunch break . To refresh myself and to be in the company of adults , I do eat lunch in the teacher ' s lounge .
• What is the ultimate class size ? I like a class size of 20 . This is a very manageable size and also an even number which allows for easier pairing of students . I currently have 28 first graders without a paraprofessional or aid .
• Funny story or most embarrassing moment ? We do a " wiggle remover " dance every day afer snack . This is about mid morning and during our reading block . The students really need a break before gesng back to work . We usually do a kids Zumba or Just Dance Kids dance from YouTube . I do these dances with my students . It is always embarrassing when the principal or a parent walks into the classroom while we are " shaking it ".
VISIT US ONLINE WWW . ORGANIZEDCLASSROOM . COM
5